Police Chief Praises Officers, Calls For Unity

Police Commissioner Stephen Lo has urged his officers "to stay united" and remain committed to their sworn duties in order to "fight for our home city", as clashes with pro-democracy protesters escalated in the past few weeks.

In a letter and an audio clip obtained by RTHK, the police chief said his officers' efforts to maintain law and order are "obvious in the eyes of the public".

Lo said he's proud of officers' loyalty and hard work. The force has been accused of using excessive force during the policing of recent protests that began over the now-suspended extradition bill.

"In the past month or so, duties are required to work for prolonged hours and are often subject to fierce attacks by the protesters, sometimes leading to officers injured," he wrote in the letter.

He also expressed concern for the frontline officers, many of whom, he said, "needed to wear the respirator for long time in operation ground under the hot and humid weather".

"Your exceptional level of professionalism and courage displayed successfully restored the public order without causing large amount of casualty. Officers’ enormous contribution in this regard is obvious in the eyes of the public, for which I am really proud of," wrote Lo.

"As a member of the Force, I share your pain and sorrow about any lawless behaviours, brutal attacks on our officers and groundless accusations against the Force over the period. I together with the Force management will always stand by you," the top official said.

A key demand of the protesters is an independent probe into the police action, saying it is using excessive force. Police unions have said they are against setting up such an inquiry.